Normandy Veteran’s Association Memorial Window
(TA 305086)
Location
St Peter’s Avenue, the B1374, is the main shopping street of Cleethorpes, North East Lincolnshire. The road runs between High Street,(A1098), and Queens Parade(A1098), and parallel to the sea front, but one block behind it. St Peter’s Church is the Parish Church of Cleethorpes, and is situated between Bowling Lane and Mill Road, to the west side of the street. The memorial window is inside the church, set within the south wall, ,close to the door. Normally during the day, the church is kept locked, however I am sure that someone from the parish office, telephone 231198, which is opposite the church would assist those wishing to view the window during the week, and of course there are a number of services on Sundays.
Inscription
There are two inscriptions on the stained glass window, one to the Normandy Veteran’s Association showing its badge and the other a dedication to the fallen in Normandy landings from June to August 1944, as seen below:
The memorial consists of a stained glass window designed by the Grimsby & Cleethorpes Normandy Veterans Association for the 50th anniversary of D-Day, 6th June 1944, when Allied Forces invaded Europe during the Second World War. The window measures 1940mm long by 2110mm high and is some 1548mm from the floor of the church. It was unveiled by the Rev. T.H. Robinson CBE, the vicar of Cleethorpes on Sunday 31st July, 1994, and dedicated by him, to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the landings. On the actual 50th Anniversary, members of the association were in Normandy itself. The window cost £7,000, and the money was raised by the Veterans themselves, after permission had been sought from the Diocese in Lincoln to install the window. Two standards, depicting the emblem of the association, flank the window, and a prayer desk, with decorated kneelers lie beneath the window. There is a wooden cabinet fixed to the wall below the window and above the prayer desk in which there is a Book of Remembrance in which the names of the members of the Association are recorded as they die. At their funeral the members can gather and think of their lost comrade, and their name is added to the book. The memorial window clearly is now owned by St Peter’s Church, but is kept in good condition by the veterans themselves
Inscriptions
Prayer Desk & Book of Remembrance
Window and Banners
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